The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 3 eBook

His observation none impeach’d or
blam’d,
But every man and woman when ’twas
nam’d
Drew in the head, or slunk away asham’d.

One monkey, who had more pride than the
other,
His infinite chagrin could scarcely smother;
But Pug the wiser said unto his brother:

“The slights and coolness of this
human nation
Should give a sensible ape no mort’fication;
’Tis thus they always serve a poor
relation.”

LOVE, DEATH, AND REPUTATION

A FABLE

Once on a time, Love, Death, and Reputation,
Three travellers, a tour together
went;
And, after many a long perambulation,
Agreed to part by mutual consent.

Death said: “My fellow tourists,
I am going
To seek for harvests in th’
embattled plain;
Where drums are beating, and loud trumpets
blowing,
There you’ll be sure
to meet with me again”

Love said: “My friends, I mean
to spend my leisure
With some young couple, fresh
in Hymen’s bands;
Or ’mongst relations, who in equal
measure
Have had bequeathed to them
house or lands.”

But Reputation said: “If once
we sever,
Our chance of future meeting
is but vain:
Who parts from me, must look to part for
ever,
For Reputation lost comes
not again.”

THE SPARROW AND THE HEN

A Sparrow, when Sparrows like Parrots
could speak,
Addressed an old Hen who could
talk like a Jay:
Said he, “It’s unjust that
we Sparrows must seek
Our food, when your family’s
fed every day.

“Were you like the Peacock, that
elegant bird,
The sight of whose plumage
her master may please,
I then should not wonder that you are
preferr’d
To the yard, where in affluence
you live at your ease.

“I affect no great style, am not
costly in feathers,
A good honest brown I find
most to my liking,
It always looks neat, and is fit for all
weathers,
But I think your gray mixture
is not very striking.

“We know that the bird from the
isles of Canary
Is fed, foreign airs to sing
in a fine cage;
But your note from a cackle so seldom
does vary,
The fancy of man it cannot
much engage.

“My chirp to a song sure approaches
much nearer,
Nay, the Nightingale tells
me I sing not amiss;
If voice were in question I ought to be
dearer;
But the Owl he assures me
there’s nothing in this.

“Nor is it your proneness to domestication,
For he dwells in man’s
barn, and I build in man’s thatch,
As we say to each other—­but,
to our vexation,
O’er your safety alone
man keeps diligent watch.”

“Have you e’er learned to
read?” said the Hen to the Sparrow.
“No, Madam,” he
answer’d, “I can’t say I have,”
“Then that is the reason your sight
is so narrow,”
The old Hen replied, with
a look very grave.